By Alexander Fynn/ Echo Media Group.
Bridlington RUFC 33 v 12 Ripon RUFC
Jamie Martin and Blake Hereora both scored a brace of tries as Bridlington RUFC continued their unbeaten league form at home in their Counties 2 Yorkshire Division with a 33-12 victory over Ripon.
Had other results gone their way today the Dukes Park side could have been promoted but will now head to Northallerton in the hope of securing a return to Division 1 rugby.
Early into the match , with Bridlington attacking close to the line they got their just reward inside 5 minutes. Kees Miller played out from the ruck to Blake Hereora and he was able to force himself over the line, although Will Watts was unable to add the extras.
Moments later Ripon had a chance to close the gap from a penalty after Will Davies was penalised for a high tackle although Harry Vetich’s attempt from the tee went wide.
Watts then extended the host’s lead from a penalty after a high tackle on Hereora, and the number 11 made no mistake with adding the 3 points.
Then after some sublime play the home side they scored their second try of the game a strong forward run from Callam Sanderson, which saw an offload to Jamie Martin, saw him secure further points under the sticks. Watts made no mistake to increase the advantage.
With the opposition pinned on back foot for sustained periods, Watts almost scored the host’s third try of the game some quick passing play from Davies and Cooper Paddock, but Paddock’s pass to Watts was deemed to be forward.
The visitors did eventually get their first try of the game from a scrum, which saw them play in Olly Lang-Burns through to score in the corner. Vetich was able to add the extras.
Davies was sent into the sin bin for a no hands tackle as the scrum was played out Lang-Burns scored his second try for Ripon from some quick movement from right to left and just managed to get the ball over the line However Vetich’s conversion attempt went wide.
With Ripon looking to turn the game on its head, the official blew for half time giving the hosts a smal lead at 15-12
Courtney Etienne almost extended the lead as the second half began. Paddock with a strong run forward, then fed the ball to Etienne, he tried to dink over the defence, but the ball unfortunately went dead.
Watts then extended the host’s lead from the tee after a high tackle on Gary Heeley and a simple 3 points were added to the home sides score.
Martin then scored his second try of the game after Davies broke the defence, with a pass to Martin, the centre cleared the defenders before going over the line. Watts was able to add the extras.
With Bridlington in ascendancy and many phases close to the line, Hereora scored his brace as he managed to force himself over the line extending the advantage.
The Hornblowers didn’t give up and almost scored and continued to threaten. Despite many phases on the host’s line, the Bridlington defence held firm to deny any further threat.
Zane Fenton though had Bridlington’s final say of the match from a penalty and the substitute made no mistake in adding the 3 points.
Head Coach Callam Sanderson had this to say on today’s final home clash of the 2025/26 season: “I’m really proud of the lads, I thought we did really well today, I thought we started the game really well in attack getting 2 early scores, we came away of our shape in the middle of the game, but our desire towards the end of the game in defence was something to be really proud of.”
“I think a lot of Ripon’s points came from our indiscipline, our tackles invited pressure for Ripon to come close to the tryline, and pressure equates to points, they clawed themselves back into the game, but the way we turned it around in the second half after we spoke about our tackle height and the breakdown, I thought we did really well.”
“It was tough to pick today to pick a man of the match, I thought everyone 1 to 18 really stood up today, Blake Hereora as always got on both sides of the ball as was Jamie Martin as well, so those two lads really stood out.”
“We just need to keep doing what we do, all we can focus on is of what we can control, I dare say, but it will be naive of us to start looking at the other results around us in the League, but all we can do is have a good week of training, go to Northallerton, put a good performance and get 5 points out on the road and that will be a really nice way to round off our season and hopefully finish in the best possible spot.”
